Carolyn Campbell sits at her desk behind a collage of photos and letters from students who call her "Mom."
Campbell is the receptionist at the Harrison School of Pharmacy, but her job is more than answering phones and signing in packages.
"As (the students) put it, I am the mother when their mother isn't there," Campbell said.
After working at Auburn Bank for 23 years, Campbell was approached by Brinda Lisano, executive assistant to the dean, to join the Harrison School of Pharmacy staff.
"We knew she was the right person for the job," Lisano said. "I called her at home until she gave up."
Because of the central location, Campbell's desk is considered the "hub" of the students.
"She is the friendly face in an anxious environment," said John Nobles, pharmacy student.
Campbell cares for her students like they are her own children.
"I keep candy for them all the time for tests and holidays," Campbell said. "I keep a basket in my closet, and it will be on my desk soon for Halloween."
Campbell keeps up with the students' schedules, said Selena Day, academic support specialist.
"The students really enjoy seeing her every day when they come in," Day said.
With Campbell as "mother" of more than 375 students and two daughters of her own, she was grateful to have their support when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2009.
Campbell said when she was diagnosed, she asked herself , "Why me?"
"You know there is a reason for everything," Campbell said. "I am able to share my experience with anyone that needs uplifting."
When the students found out she had breast cancer, the support was abundant.
"I wouldn't doubt I had over 200 cards from my kids," Campbell said.
The students did not want to stop at just cards.
They wanted to do something else.
The students made a cookbook of all their favorite recipes to give to Campbell when she returned.
Lisano said they decided to sell the cookbook to raise money for breast-cancer awareness and education and to honor others lost to cancer.
Some students also participated in Relay for Life, dedicating their commitment to Campbell.
Campbell wanted to show her students how much she appreciated their support.
"When she was out after her surgery, she was barely getting around, but she told her husband she had to put her candy basket out for them," Day said. "She didn't want to let it slip."
Looking back on the past year, Campbell smiled, although she was a little choked up, and said she is cancer-free.
"Because of my friends, family and the kids, it got me through every day," Campbell said.
Since her return, Campbell has remained just as busy, if not busier, spending time with her family, students and her "grandson" Tucker, her oldest daughter's pet Yorkie.
Campbell said she enjoys going on her daily walk and cooking her favorite meal, poppy seed chicken, for her neighbors.
She has always been the type of person to care for others.
Before she came to Auburn, she lived in Andalusia, working as a receptionist for the Covington County Engineering Department.
"It is a very small town, home of the Rattle Snake Rodeo and Mrs. Dean's House of Cakes," Campbell said.
She left Andalusia 26 years ago and came to Auburn to work as Auburn Bank's supervisor for customer service.
Campbell said she has always worked in customer service and plans on continuing to care for her students.
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